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Peeling Back the Layers: The Colorful Legacy of Sugar 'n Spice Frozen Bananas
The Colorful Legacy of Sugar ‘n Spice Frozen Bananas
Sugar 'n Spice
In Southern California, nestled amidst the picturesque charm of Balboa Island, there lies a sweet legend that has captured the hearts and taste buds of visitors for over 70 years.
FROZEN BANANAS ON BALBOA ISLAND
Peeling Back the Layers: The Colorful Legacy of Sugar ‘n Spice Frozen Bananas
In Southern California, nestled amidst the picturesque charm of Balboa Island, there lies a sweet legend that has captured the hearts and taste buds of visitors for over 70 years.
The Public Market Team drove down to Balboa Island in Southern California to visit Sugar ‘n Spice, home of the original frozen banana.
Sugar ‘n Spice is a delightful tale of ingenuity, family legacy, and a fortuitous freeze that launched a delectable dessert into the annals of Americana.
From Frozen Accident to Sweet Sensation: The Birth and Rise of Sugar ‘n Spice
It all began on the 4th of July, 1945, when Bob & Dorothy Cook unveiled Dot & Bob Candies. Little did they know that a simple error would catalyze a dessert revolution.
When their 11-year-old son Don placed a bunch of bananas in the freezer rather than the refrigerator, a sweet serendipity unfolded. Instead of tossing the frozen bananas, Bob had an idea: why not dip them in warm fudge and coat them in mouth-watering toppings like English toffee crumbs and chopped peanuts?
Thus, the original frozen banana was born!
This happy accident didn’t just change the course of the Cook family’s candy shop – it captured the hearts of candy enthusiasts from far and wide. With its growing popularity, the original frozen banana and Balboa Bar, a block of vanilla ice cream double-dunked in melted chocolate and rolled in various toppings, became the cornerstone of the shop’s menu.
And in 1959, to signify this delectable shift, Dot & Bob Candies officially transformed into Sugar ‘n Spice.
The quaint shop witnessed a parade of bananas arriving each week, being peeled, placed on sticks, and frozen for 24 hours. This process was on full display through the shop’s window, allowing customers to witness the birth of their frozen treats, double-dipped in melted chocolate and adorned with their favorite toppings.
From Balboa Island to Anywhere, USA: Sugar ‘n Spice’s Frozen Banana Hits the Road
Sugar ‘n Spice’s delicious story doesn’t end on Balboa Island. In 1995, Helen Connolly invested her life savings to purchase Sugar ‘n Spice.
Her dedication and love for the little shop propelled it towards continued success. Her daughter, Courtney, and her son-in-law Will took over the stand in 2014.
Embracing their family’s legacy while introducing modern innovations, Courtney and Will have expanded Sugar ‘n Spice’s reach and success, delivering joy far beyond Balboa Island’s sunny shores. They initiated dessert catering services in 2015, bringing custom-dipped treats to parties and events.
In 2018, the Dip ’n Roll catering truck, a striking blue van dubbed the big blue banana, began its journey across California, becoming a hit at weddings, festivals, and even TV and movie sets.
Their innovation didn’t stop at catering. In 2020, amid a world increasingly seeking convenience, Sugar ‘n Spice added online ordering, allowing customers to collect their treats from the Balboa Island shop or have them delivered straight to their doors.
But Courtney and Will weren’t content with just serving California. They wanted every corner of the United States to experience the joy of Sugar ‘n Spice’s frozen banana.
So in 2021, they partnered with Goldbelly, enabling nationwide shipping of their iconic treats.
A Treat for All: The Delectable Diversity at Sugar ‘n Spice, Home of the Original Frozen Banana
Despite their storied history and the fame of their original frozen banana, Sugar ‘n Spice is no “one-trick pony”. They offer a delightful array of frozen treats. From ice cream to malts and shakes, there’s something for every sweet tooth.
And the innovation continues – alongside traditional toppings like chopped peanuts and crumbled butter brickle, customers can now choose from more contemporary flavors.
Their top seller, the frozen banana, can be adorned with rainbow sprinkles or Oreos, offering a burst of color and crunch with every bite.
While the original frozen banana undoubtedly holds the crown at Sugar ‘n Spice, the delectable array of treats available leaves no sweet craving unsatisfied. Beyond their renowned frozen bananas and Balboa Bars, they’ve stretched the boundaries of frozen indulgences with ingenious offerings like Ice Cream Cookie Sandwiches, Frozen Cheesecake, and Frozen Tiramisu.
Delighting in Diversity: An Array of Frozen Treats at Sugar ‘n Spice
Each mouth-watering item presents a unique twist on these beloved classics, enveloping them in an icy embrace that results in a delightful treat perfect for a sun-soaked Balboa Island day.
But the joy of Sugar ‘n Spice is not just in the treat’s core. It lies in the art of customization, where each customer can craft their own sweet masterpiece. The array of dips and toppings offered are as vibrant and diverse as the island itself.
You can submerge your chosen treat in classic chocolate (a non-dairy favorite), Premium Dark Chocolate for a touch of luxury, a creamy Peanut Butter dip, or even a tangy Cherry dip that brings a burst of fruitiness to your dessert.
And the fun doesn’t stop there. Once your treat is perfectly dipped, it’s time for a roll through a playground of toppings. Opt for the playful Rainbow Sprinkles, classic Chocolate Sprinkles, crunchy Peanuts or Almonds.
If you’re feeling adventurous, Peanut Butter & Jelly, Toasted Coconut, Oreo Crumbles, or Heath Pecan Crunch might tickle your fancy.
Other enticing options include the sweet-salty combination of Salted Caramel, the campfire nostalgia of S’mores, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Crumbles for a nutty chocolate hit, and Fruity Dino Bites for a burst of colorful fun. And for those who simply can’t decide, the Everything Mix brings together a bit of all the delightful toppings.
At Sugar ‘n Spice, every visit is a chance to create a new favorite. With so many choices, the possibilities are as endless as they are delicious. No matter what combination you choose, each bite is a reminder of Sugar ‘n Spice’s commitment to variety, creativity, and most importantly, flavor.
And lest we forget our four-legged friends, Sugar ‘n Spice has a treat for them too! The Puppaccino, a small cup of whipped cream, ensures no member of the family misses out on a visit to this iconic stand.
As they approach their 100-year milestone, Courtney, Will, and the entire Sugar ‘n Spice team continue their mission to deliver smiles and sweet treats, remaining an iconic destination far into the future.
As Goodwill Ambassadors for Balboa Island, they are proud of their community contributions, recognized by the Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition from the United States Congress and a Special Proclamation from the Mayor of Newport Beach, CA.
They remain true to their roots, ever innovating, and forever cherishing the fortuitous freeze that started it all.
From its accidental inception to becoming a nationwide sensation, the journey of Sugar ‘n Spice’s frozen banana is as sweet as the treat itself.
As we bite into this delicious dessert, we taste more than just a frozen banana; we savor a piece of Americana, a testament to ingenuity, and a tribute to the enduring sweetness of family legacy.
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“Not a day goes by when we don't have someone say something like 'Hey I was 6 years old when my grandfather first brought me here.'”
– Will Alovis, Sugar ‘n Spice
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